Work in Process This Week - Baby Blanket and Turtle

 Good morning,

I'm working on another baby blanket and will make a turtle to match.  This will be available in the shop when finished.  We have many other items in the shop for babies, children, and adults ready to ship now.

I love the colors in this one.  My mind is always planning way ahead of how fast my fingers can crochet and knit.  I think this color combination will make a beautiful large afghan blanket.

What are you making, baking, growing this week?  I love hearing from you, seeing your blogs and learning about what you are making!  

 All the very best,

Lois

Childhood Memories - Dandy Lions and Violets

 Good morning,

Even the "weeds" bring wonderful memories of childhood.

I remember sitting in the fresh green grass at about eight years old with my friends and making dandelion and violet necklaces.  We also gathered bouquets of the flowers and took them inside to our Moms.  

My Mom was a wonderful lady.  She was always so happy and pleased when I brought her such presents as bouquets of weeds.  She would put them into a glass of water and make them the centerpiece on our dinner table. 

I was blessed to have a wonderful childhood.

All the best,

Lois

Garter Snake on Patrol

 Good morning,

Kjell snapped this image of a garter snake on our front porch.  He looks very well fed!

These characters are harmless and do a great deal of good in the garden.  They eat all the critters that eat our plants so we're happy to see them around.

Of course, the pups think they should keep all snakes out of the yard, but this one was smart enough to be in the front yard where the pups can't get to him. 

 Ah, yes, signs of Spring....

Lois

Today's Blossom - Red Tulip

 Good morning,

I love Spring!  Every morning I go outside to see the new blossoms.

Today I wasn't disappointed with this beautiful bright red tulip.  I planted this many years ago - perhaps 30 - and it returns to delight us every year.

Happy Spring!

Lois

Here Come the Lilies

 Good morning,

We have four flower pots on the front porch.  Two of them contain lilies that return year after year.  It's always a wonderful part of Spring when I see the Lilies returning. 

 About ten days ago there was no sign of life in these pots.  I spread just a little additional potting soil on the top of each flower pot to replace that which erodes away each year.

In a few weeks I'll show you pictures of beautiful lilies blooming here.

Happy Spring!

Lois

Herb Bread

 Good morning,

Our little hydroponic garden is thriving in our library.  We are enjoying the fruits of our labor while cooking, too! 

Yesterday I made an herb bread with basil, rosemary, parsley, olive oil, and brown sugar.  I finely chopped a cup of herbs for two large loaves of bread.  I probably could have used more.  I used King Arthur flour.  Oh, goodness, this is fantastic!  I was tempted to put a little garlic in it, too, but decided to just stay with herbs we had grown this time to see how it turned out.

 This was a winner!

Do you like to experiment in the kitchen?  I love experimenting, especially with bread!

All the best,

Lois

Possum Hunters

 Good morning,

Elsa (top) and Wendy are out for last call before bed time last night.  Lily is also wandering around the yard.

Earlier in the evening, Elsa and Lily had a small possum down and "playing possum" in the driveway.  I didn't manage to get a picture because I was busy getting the dogs back into the house.

Kjell and I watched the possum on the security cameras, though.  It took about ten minutes for the little critter to slowly stand up, then stagger around a bit before crawling under the gate and waddling down the driveway.

When I took this picture, I asked Elsa if she found a possum tonight.  I didn't say it angrily, just a question.  She immediately looked guilty!  I told her there was no reason to feel guilty.  Her job is to keep scary critters out of the yard. 

The pups do a very good job of securing the property from scary critters such as possums, birds, bunnies, leaves blowing in the wind....

They're wonderful pups.

:),

Lois